S01E42 - The Fluid Frontier: Ambivalent Atheist Identities in Britain

Lois Lee’s research explores the complex identities of non-theists in Britain, moving beyond highly visible, organized groups like "New Atheists." She argues that many individuals possess ambivalent non-religious identities, often choosing generic labels like "not religious" to express indifference or non-partisanship rather than active atheism. These self-representations are multifaceted, as they can function as mechanisms of social power for some while leaving others feeling culturally disenfranchised or illiterate. By utilizing ethnographic methods, Lee uncovers how these diffuse beliefs are woven into the fabric of daily life and social status. Ultimately, the text highlights the political and subjective significance of being "godless" in a society where such positions are both common and poorly understood.Lee Lois, 2015. Ambivalent Atheist identities: Power and Non-religious Culture in Contemporary Britain. Social Analysis, Volume 59, Issue 2, Summer 2015, 20–39 doi:10.3167/sa.2015.590202